Browns' Joe Thomas finalist for NFL Man of the Year award

FILE - In this file photo taken Aug. 2, 2011, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas stretches during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Berea, Ohio. The team locked up its steady Pro Bowl left offensive tackle on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, by reaching agreement with him on a seven-year contract extension. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Joe Thomas, the Browns' iron-man left tackle since the first snap of 2007, is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, the league announced Sunday at halftime of the Ravens-Patriots AFC championship game.

This award truly is coveted. It is the only one issued by the league that recognizes a player's off-field contributions to his community as well as his success on the field.

"I am honored and truly humbled to be recognized as a finalist for this award," Thomas said. "Walter Payton wasn't just a Hall-of-Fame player, he was also one of the best people that ever played in the NFL and made a difference in so many lives. Giving back is something that is extremely important and the Cleveland community is very special to me."

Advertisement

About midway through the season players from each team nominate a teammate to receive the award. The finalists were selected from a blue ribbon panel that studied what each play did to deserve being nominated in the first place. Judges on that panel include NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Hall of Famers Anthony Munoz and Frank Gifford, last year's winner, Matt Birk from the Ravens, and Connie Payton, widow of the late Bears great running back Walter Payton.

Thomas has a deep respect for those serving in the military. According to the release issued by the Browns, Thomas "in 2010 traveled more than 14,000 miles round trip to visit troops in Afghanistan through the NFL/USO Tour. To this day, he is still in contact with many of the troops he met during that trip. Upon his return, Thomas supported a national USO campaign to raise additional funds in support of our troops, lending his name to the nationwide effort.

"Along with former NFL players and coaches, Thomas visited the Pentagon last offseason to take part in the Military-NFL Culture Change Campaign focus group to help educate people about the dangers of traumatic brain injuries. Thomas was the league's only active player to participate in the study."

Earlier this year, Thomas made the largest individual financial contribution the local "Kids in Need Resource Center" has ever received. The center helps provide school supplies for more than 180 schools in impoverished areas.

Thomas also founded the "Blue Collar Corner" season ticket program which provided tickets, apparel and food for families through the Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council. In addition, he founded the "Thomas' Troops" season-ticket program which hosted men and women who serve our country every home game and provided tickets, apparel and food through the USO of Northern Ohio.

Thomas and his wife, Annie, are also committed to other causes including the local Animal Protective League and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Thomas' also annually participate in the Browns Adopt-A-Family program through The "Littlest Heroes," an organization that works with kids diagnosed with cancer and their families.

"Since he joined the Browns in 2007, Joe Thomas has been a tremendous ambassador for our franchise and Northeast Ohio," Browns CEO Joe Banner said. "Not only has he established himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the game, but his philanthropic work has had an extremely positive impact on numerous people.

"Community involvement is one of our top off-field priorities, and Joe epitomizes these efforts. On behalf of everyone at the Cleveland Browns, we would like to congratulate Joe on this outstanding and well-deserved honor."

Thomas, the third pick of the 2007 draft, has never missed a snap with the Browns. He has made the Pro Bowl every year and will be in Hawaii again next Sunday.

The winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will be presented with the Gladiator Statue on Feb. 2, the night before the Super Bowl, during the second annual NFL Honors program.

Each of the 32 nominees received a $1,000 donation to his favorite charity. In addition, each of the three finalists received another $5,000. Another $20,000 will be donated in the name of the award winner.

Thomas has selected Team Rubicon USA, a non-profit organization co-founded by a former college teammate Jacob Wood, who also served our country through the United States Marines. Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with medical professionals to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations.